LAGOS, NIGERIA — Public school teachers in Lagos State on Tuesday staged a protest over rising insecurity and the continued abduction of students and teachers in parts of the country, demanding urgent government intervention and the safe return of victims.
The protest, which drew participants from several local government education districts, saw teachers carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs while calling for improved protection of schools and educational institutions.
The educators expressed concern over what they described as increasing vulnerability of schools to attacks, insisting that learning environments must be made safe to prevent further disruptions to academic activities.
They also demanded the immediate rescue of abducted students and teachers, urging security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators of recent kidnapping incidents affecting school communities.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, , has criticised some content creators and social media users over their coverage of abduction incidents, accusing them of sensationalising sensitive security matters.
Obasa reportedly expressed concern that certain online reports and videos may be worsening public anxiety and potentially interfering with security operations.
He called for responsible journalism and urged digital content creators to verify information before publishing, especially on issues involving victims of crime and ongoing security operations.
The speaker also reaffirmed the need for collaboration between government institutions, security agencies, and the public in addressing the security challenges affecting schools and communities across Lagos State and beyond.
Teachers at the protest, however, maintained that their primary concern remains the safety of learners and education workers, stressing that repeated incidents of abduction have created fear and disrupted academic activities in several areas.
They appealed to both state and federal authorities to strengthen surveillance around schools, improve rapid response mechanisms, and ensure that perpetrators of kidnapping are swiftly brought to justice.
Education stakeholders present at the demonstration noted that insecurity continues to pose a major challenge to Nigeria’s education sector, with repeated attacks contributing to declining school attendance in affected regions.
The teachers further urged government to invest in long-term security measures, including deployment of trained personnel around vulnerable schools and improved intelligence gathering.
Security analysts have warned that continued attacks on educational institutions could have long-term consequences on human capital development if urgent steps are not taken.
The protest ended peacefully, with organisers calling for sustained dialogue between government officials and education unions to address the concerns raised.
Authorities in Lagos State are yet to issue a formal response to the specific demands of the protesting teachers, though officials have repeatedly assured residents of ongoing efforts to improve security across the state.
The incident highlights growing public concern over insecurity in Nigeria’s education sector, as stakeholders continue to call for stronger protection of schools and swift action against criminal elements targeting students and teachers.
